Managing Your Emotions at Work
Learning how to regulate and control your emotions can help you become a more effective leader in the workplace.
However, for the majority of us, managing our emotions is something that was never taught to us in our training, schooling, or anywhere professionally related.
From a workplace perspective, the expectation is that regulating your emotional health is taught to you in school or as a child, or somewhere else, just not in the workplace.
The expectation in the workplace is that as a professional you are in charge and responsible for managing your emotions. And, no matter what stress or pressures you are under, you are expected to know how to self-regulate your emotions - both positive and negative emotions.
Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. In the 15+ years of my education and training, I cannot recall any courses titled “Managing Your Emotions as a Professional 101” or “Mental Health for Professionals 101.”
And, oftentimes, due to family upbringing or childhood traumas, emotional maturity or emotional literacy, is not taught to us directly. Either passively or subconsciously we pick up how we are “supposed to act” from parents or friends throughout our lifetime. Hopefully, we pick up some positive habits along the way, but as a professional you really cannot leave your emotional health up to chance.
Emotional Literacy is the ability to identify, understand and respond to emotions in oneself and others in a healthy manner.
BEING EMOTIONALLY LITERATE IS NOT JUST ESSENTIAL IN TODAY’S WORKPLACE, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT.
With cancel culture prevailing and the definition of professionalism evolving, it is your responsibility to take control of your emotions, both at home and in the workplace.
Before you walk into work tomorrow (and each day), check in on your emotional health, and ask yourself these few questions:
1.Read your own written mission statement. Beginning today, declare your professional and personal mission statement. Address the five questions below inside both of your mission statements.
What is my purpose today? What is most important to me today? How am I defining success for myself today?
Who do I need to surround myself with to achieve answers #1-#3? What do I need to achieve my answers to the above questions #1-#3? Read your mission statement every single day before you walk into work.
2. Answer: How am I taking care of my mental health today? Who do I need in my life to support me thriving both personally and professionally today? Who can I turn to for support today? Majority of professionals are hesitant to ask for help from a friend, therapist, or a coach, but this negative stigma is outdated. Asking for help is a preventative tool to ensure your emotional and mental health stays a top priority.
3. Answer: How is my self-care being managed today? What steps do you need to take that helps you stay on your A+ game at work? There are thousands of studies out there that show why self-care is so important in today’s fast paced world and career landscape. Do yourself a favor: figure out what self-care works for you.
4. Answer: Am I aware of my conscious and non-conscious biases? Unfortunately, all of us are subject to biases. Biases hold us back in the workplace, and making assumptions (whether intentionally or not) about colleagues is not an effective way to reach optimal outcomes. When you walk into the workplace, it is essential that you maintain awareness of your biases, and take steps to remove them.
5. Answer: What do I need to be my absolute best today? Do I need more water? Do I need 15 minutes to prepare for my presentation? Do I need to pee? Do I need to connect with my manager about this X topic? Declare what you need to thrive in your day before you walk into work.
6. Answer: Is there anything I need to let go of before I walk into work today? Let go of any tension that might hold you back. Release the frustration or chaos that happened before work. Take 5 deep breaths, and walk into work like the bad ass that you are!!
After answering these 6 questions, maybe in your car, at the gym, or in the shower before work, your mental game will be READY to face any challenge that the day will bring you.
If you know you need help in this arena and you have a desire to up-level your presence at work, this is one of my favorite topics to connect with my clients on. Email me @ HELLO@RXASHLEE.COM - let’s get to work!
XX
Ash
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